A room with a view. CO

Monday, July 7th, 2014

“Adopt the pace of Nature. Her secret is Patience…”
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson ~

A comment…

“For anyone trying to make sense of their life after the loss of a loved one or just trying to move forward and figure out what is really important in life, this book is invaluable. Ara and Spirit share their journeys, both physical and spiritual, on the road to acceptance as they learn together how to emerge on the other side of a tremendous loss and learn how to really "live" life. Even though not everyone may relate to taking off and living on the road, the emotional and spiritual journey Ara shares in this book will help everyone dealing with loss gain acceptance and see the beauty of life again and get down to the essentials of what is really important. He and Spirit show us how to allow ourselves to smile and enjoy the wonders of life again while still feeling the raw emotions brought about by loss. They show how it is not about "getting past" or  "moving on" from a loss but honoring the memories and feeling the emotions, as heart wrenching as they are and melding them with our present life while allowing the beauty and goodness of nature and life to lift us up. The ebb and flow of these seemingly opposite forces in Ara’s story are fascinating and beautiful to read.
  Even those expecting a " man and dog travel the country by motorcycle and sidecar" read will be drawn in and captivated by Ara & Spirit’s journey of emotional healing and acceptance. I can’t imagine anyone reading this book and not being moved and effected emotionally by it. The wisdom shared in this book will help many, many people. Thanks Ara & Spirit for sharing.”
 
And “Thank You Mike” 

 

MEDIA

 

“Freedom on Both Ends of the Leash” is now available autographed through us for $24.99 [$19.99 + $5 S&H, Continental 48 States] by clicking the above photo links. [PayPal accepting all cards]. It is also available through Amazon in paperback or as a Kindle download. All other electronic formats are also available.
You can also order from any Bookstore.  
The flat shipping rate for outside the 48 States or International is $15. Please e-mail me [link above] for those orders as you will have to get into directly our PayPal account bypassing the normal procedure.
If ordering more than one copy through us you will need to place each order separately.
Thank You
.

Sunset-17 xxx

It is the week of the Fourth of July and I am already aware we shall be in limbo this weekend. My good Friends Shawn and Catherine are getting married this Friday in Colorado Springs, my wedding present is doing the photography, [me who has never photographed a wedding!] and by Saturday every nook and cranny Mother Nature always provides us with, this time around, the land will be packed.

Ar camp-2 xxx

But we are not there yet. Why think so far ahead? These present days are rejuvenation. Tonight all clicked in unison and a reminder came our way as to why we are on the road while laying out this stage we are occupying. Gunnison is behind us, the Post Office saw us at their opening window mailing a few more books and through Monarch Pass we arrived south of Salida and Poncha Springs. Three nights on our new BLM land discovery, much needed, or better, always needed. It was the space found where Spirit and I agreed in this video I have already posted. But… it is already taken. I could not believe it when I saw the roof of a camper through the trees. So we backtracked to plan B, our first little drive through again shown in the video and even though a bit close to the main road, it will do for these nights away from it all. It is going to be just fine… How can it not be?

Sharper image on HD setting. This is where we are now… We did come back!

Camp-4 xxx

Old Faithful-2 xxx

A fire ring left behind and much firewood. I started thinking if I should feel guilty using some of it, mainly for cooking and keeping us warm as already in the shade at high noon, with this elevation of 9111 feet, it is a bit "cool". Just the way we like it. Colorado does not cease to amaze me with it’s free BLM land camping. So much of it. We shall return next year as we will be heading up to Wyoming after the wedding and brave the Holiday traffic. As desolate as it is here, a few RV’s went by after we set up. There could be over a million acres of free land to camp on, but I realized this is no secret. The locals must know too well all the good spots. So returning here on Saturday is going to be out of the question. I know that as soon as we leave another occupant will come in quickly.

Camp-3 xxx

Camp-2 xxx

I have not slept this good in a long time. This space reminds me of The Oasis. One with a different background of lush greens hills and mountains. The silence is the common denominator and even though cold last night I just sat out there and watched the stars dancing, a private show. The main characters however throughout the sunset were the clouds. I once again reached for the camera and I myself transformed could barely feel my own feet touching the ground. It was more than amazing. It was as "how can this be?". We are at the right place at the right time. Maybe that was Mother Nature’s Birthday Gift. The one that has just passed.

Sunset NN CT-6 xxx

Sunset N-2 xxx,

It was a good day. Not quite celebrating my own 66th year but Spirit’s 9th year. More or less, maybe 10th, being a rescue. He deserved it. He is perfect with his heart of gold and his stubbornness! Off and on throughout the day the images of my Mother laying in her bed in Munich and giving me her last smile and sparks in her eyes when she saw me arriving for the first time, those images were the one playing. Again the "why?" question had to be erased as how can this Lady so full of Life and knowledge and Love and affection be so suddenly laying there slowly fading away on her final journey? I do miss her so terribly and as much as the memories can fill my days there is an emptiness that follows me daily. Last night could have been the message for me to go on, to reconcile with Life, to not let go of what is present staring at me because one day again we shall be together and Lance’s laughter will also be heard.

Dinner-7 xxx

Dinner-3 xxx

There is a depth of our Journey which had escaped me this past year. I could taste it, yet, I knew it was not there, not present. It is slowly coming back as its flavors are once again becoming stronger. There is a nice breeze outside, the storm forecasted did spare us, we will play with the shade and the sunshine all day and probably hike more than ride this time around as each step will make us appreciate where we are and who we are. Yes, Colorado has been good to us. We are not quite ready to leave this State yet even if "Snowy Range" in Wyoming will be our next destination.

Sunset-14 xxx

Sunset-13 xxx

It is the morning after the wedding. I don’t even drink and I feel like a resemblance of a hangover. It was wonderful. I like it when Dear Friends are happy and do well. Around 120 attendees, the ceremony was emotional for many as it was for me. Marriage, what a huge step. Catherine’s and Shawn’s foundations are rock solid. They will make it through their lives with flying colors. The food excellent, new Friends, loud music and maybe in contrast with the silence we always experience the notes are still bouncing in my head.

Catherine's and Shawn's Wedding-73 xxx

Catherine's and Shawn's Wedding-4

Catherine's and Shawn's Wedding-98

Lucky me, I ended up being in charge of the candid shots while Dan, a real photographer, took the official shots. We complemented each other very nicely. I wish them much happiness for all their years to come. We are back to the same exact space. Spirit was not ready to go on North yet. So here we are… I almost feel as calling this land our Northern Oasis. There is after all no one around and the Sunsets are also incredible.

Sunset-10 xxx

Sunset-2 xxx

We shall endure another week or so here…

“Look for me in the whirlwind or the storm” ~ Marcus Garvey ~

Stay well, Ara and Spirit

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5 Responses to “A room with a view. CO”

  1. George Says:

    “This space reminds me of The Oasis”

    Haven’t been around for a while, so I guess that means you still have your place down in Terlingua?

    Good to see you and Spirit are still at it. If I thought I could handle life on a motorcycle… 🙂

  2. texascindy Says:

    Those cloud shots are wonderful. And the gold in the clouds? Wow! You, dear friend, are almost always in the right place at the right time. The wedding looks like it was fun! I love the kilts! And our trip to Utah? Well, Colorado is looking pretty good, too. Instead of a week we may have to make it two. Stay safe!

  3. debra Says:

    Ara,

    I just stumbled upon your website, and I am blown away by your adventures with Spirit! What a great life you guys are living! I look forward to reading the book.

    Safe travels –
    Debra

  4. Ara & Spirit Says:

    Thank You Debra… It is a choice! Stay well. Ara and Spirit

  5. Louise Says:

    Hi Aura,
    I can’t believe you were just down the road from me for the wedding…are you still in Colorado?
    Our paths crossed at Ken’s Lake when I was on my 1st trip in my van with my dog, and cat back at the beginning of May.
    What a glorious trip that was, I loved the Burr Trail you sent me on, it was Fabulous!! I hiked so much and had such a Magical time!
    I got your book, I love reading it every night before I turn out the lights…makes for some peaceful dreaming! I have been out in my van
    for a total of 4 1/2 weeks so far and I’m having a blast on all of my new adventures!

    Colorado has so much I intend to explore, the wildflowers have been incredible this summer! I Love My Life! 🙂
    Let me know where you are these days,it is 7/26, Sat.

    Give Spirit a big hug for me and I look forward to hearing back from you.

    Take care, my friend and beautiful safe travels to you both!
    Louise

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